Abstract
Sexuality is the capability of human beings to have erotic relationships and reactions. In the modern society, sociologists define sexuality in terms of sexual attraction, which is influenced by an individual’s sexual orientation.
In this case, an individual can be attracted to any gender. From a social perspective, there are four major forms of sexual orientations, including heterosexuality (opposite sex attraction), homosexuality (same sex attraction), bisexuality (attraction to all sexes), and asexuality (inability to develop a sexual orientation).
Human sexuality is influenced by educational, political, legal, and philosophical factors. In other words, sexuality is usually understood through observation of ethical issues, religion, spirituality, and morality.
Scholars observe that sexuality is not in any way related to gender. An individual develops sexual orientation when he or she attains twelve years, which is the puberty age.
A controversy has emerged among scholars since some note that sexuality is influenced by genetics while others note that the social environment determines it. In other words, nature and nurture come into play when interpreting human sexuality (Grulich, 2000).
Nature is defined as behavioral traits that an individual is born with them. They include impulses and desires. Nurture is defined as behaviors that emanate from the surrounding, which influence the sexuality of an individual.
Introduction
Theorists such as Sigmund Freud came out strongly to present their views regarding human sexuality. However, the majority in society still approves only one type of sexuality, which is heterosexuality. It is factual that homosexuality is common in many parts of the world but individuals are reluctant to appreciate it.
This paper traces the legality of homosexuality in the Australian and Chinese societies. The paper evaluates the views of Chinese and Australian young adults regarding homosexuality.
Research Question
Sexuality is an issue that has raised a heated debate in various societies, including the Australian and Chinese societies. This research is very important because it aims at revealing the truth about the views of young Chinese and Austrian adults on homosexuality. Therefore, the main question would be:
What is the perception of young Chinese and Australian adults on homosexuality?
Research Significance
It is important to identify the views of Chinese and Austrian adults regarding homosexuality because the issue has threatened to divide society. The research is critical because it gives individuals from the two societies an opportunity to discuss their sexual orientations.
In many cases, people would be reluctant to share their sexual perceptions in fear of retribution. The research compares the ideas of different individuals, who are perceived to be from two separate economies.
China is a socialist state whereas Australia is a capitalist state. In various societies, homosexuality is an issue that is mostly influenced by societal norms and regulations. Those perceived to be practicing sexual behaviors that are contrary to societal expectations are usually oppressed.
Therefore, this study would be important in understanding the reasons behind unfair treatment. Even in societies believed to be capitalistic, those with unique sexual orientations are victimized. Therefore, the study on homosexuality would reveal more on sexual orientations.
Interview
In this study, the researcher will use interviews to collect the views of young Chinese and Australian adults regarding homosexuality. Therefore, the researcher will use a standardized data collection tool referred to as questionnaire.
The questionnaire will combine structured and unstructured questions. Forty individuals will be interviewed.
Because of distance, availability of resources, and limited time, the researcher will mail twenty questionnaires to Chinese young adults and twenty questionnaires to Australian young adults.
Discussion of Interview Results
From the data collected, it is eminent that the young Chinese adults have varying perceptions as regards to homosexuality. Results from the interview shows that many individuals believe homosexuality is a vice that should not be accepted in society.
In fact, results show that negative perceptions among the Chinese adults have led to marginalization and stigmatization of homosexuals in the country. As a result, the health of homosexuals is always at risk since the society is reluctant to support such individuals in terms of health.
The results from the interview are in agreement with the study conducted in 2006. The 2006 study cross-examined young Chinese adults to determine the prevalence of homosexuality in the country.
The study was undertaken by a group of researchers to establish the extent at which homosexuality affects families in the country. From the study, the percentage of young adults supporting homosexuality was very low.
Particularly in Hanoi and Shanghai, young adults believed that homosexuality was a culture of the perverts. The results of the study indicated further that individuals in rural areas opposed homosexuality strongly.
However, the study revealed that some individuals supported homosexuality based on the premise that it is a human innovation. Results from the interview shows that demographic factors such as age, economic status, occupation, and the level of education influence an individual’s perception on homosexuality (Nemoto, 2004).
Individuals above thirty years believe that homosexuality is wrong and it should not be practiced in the country. The rich in society, particularly young adults below thirty years practice homosexuality.
This is attributed to exposure to external culture. The study shows that the increasing rate of homosexuality among the young adults in China is attributed to foreign movies and pornographic literature.
The results from the interview further reveal that the perception of the Chinese young adults on homosexuality is negative. The young adults believe that homosexuality interferes with the family values in the country.
For instance, people ask themselves whether the next generation would be safe if homosexuality were to be allowed to continue in society. Many young adults in China observe that there would be no next generation if same-sex marriages were allowed in society.
Some respondents noted that each gender has its specific role to play in society. The female gender is to concentrate on the upbringing of children. Same-sex marriage does not support gender roles in society (Layte, 2006).
A number of Chinese young adults were of the view that Confucianism does not allow homosexuality. Therefore, each member of society should only engage in cultural practices supported by Confucianism.
Therefore, the study shows that religion plays an important role as far as the perceptions of young Chinese adults on homosexuality are concerned.
A number of scholars observe that the Australian society does not approve homosexuality. Unfortunately, this is the view of the majority in the country. Just like in China, the law established in 1961 recognizes only opposite sex marriages.
The law says that marriage is a union between a man and a woman. The 2001 census report suggests that homosexuality is still unacceptable in the Australian society. This is in line with the results of the interview.
The report indicated that only a small percentage of society practices homosexuality. Few individuals practice homosexuality because the 2001 census data indicates that less than one percent of the population engaged in same-sex relationships.
From the interview, homosexuality practices are high among individuals in early twenties. Moreover, the interview indicated that men practice homosexuality more as compared to women.
In the Australian society, homosexuals have children meaning that they might be engaging in homosexuality but they also marry members of the opposite sex for procreation.
In fact, a research conducted in 2001 indicates that homosexuals live with children they might have acquired during their previous heterosexual relationships. The analysis of questionnaires sent to various individuals in Australia confirms that homosexuals live with children from previous relationships.
Unlike in the Chinese society, technology is sometimes used to reinforce homosexual relationships in Australia. Since gays might be in need of children, they seek the services of experts in order to acquire children.
In terms of education, the interview shows that homosexuals in Australia have higher academic qualifications as compared to other individuals in heterosexual relationships (Hall, Song, & McKenna, 2002).
In the 2001 report, gays had many academic degrees while lesbians had at least a college diploma.
Generally, the perceptions of the Australian young adults on homosexuality are negative. However, the society is being forced to accept same-sex relationships because research shows that it is rampant in society.
People in Australia believe homosexuals should be denied legal status. Some young adults claim that the government should come up with laws barring homosexuals from adopting children (Bagley, & Tremblay, 1998).
The young male adults condemn homosexuality more as compared to female young adults. This shows that the perception of women is different from that of men. Young male adults claim that same-sex relationships should be banned in the country, especially gay relationships.
However, young male adults tend to support lesbianism. Young male adults in Australia condemn homosexuality because it is incapable of reproducing children. Recent studies show that homosexuality is slowly taking root in society. This is after the realization that it is a human condition.
Young female adults believe homosexuality is the way to go since it does not expose them to the injustices meted by men.
Some lobby groups encourage women to embrace same-sex marriage because it does not expose them to the unfair treatment witnessed in heterosexual relationships.
Results from the interview show that homosexuality is illegal in China and Australia. Moreover, the society is reluctant to approve any form of same-sex relationship. However, homosexuality is practiced in the two countries.
Most of those supporting homosexuality as a form of sexuality have similar views in the two countries. In the same way, those opposing it have similar opinions. The two countries share something in common as regards to homosexuality.
In the two countries, homosexuality is illegal. Furthermore, the society does not approve it. In the two states, young adults believe homosexuality amounts to the violation of traditional and family laws. The law in the two states defines marriage as a consensual union between a man and a woman.
Same-sex marriages are opposed because they might destabilize the institution of marriage. For instance, it may discourage procreation. From a medical perspective, young adults believe homosexuality is unnatural because it goes against nature.
The human rectum is designed for one purpose, which is to pass waste products in form of gas, liquid, and solid (Gary, 2010). The rectum is made of a thin layer implying that it is different in structure with the female reproductive system.
The rectum can easily rupture during intercourse, leading to contraction of diseases. Another reason given against homosexuality among youths in the two countries is that it is a threat to the human race. For instance, if all members of society were to be homosexuals, there would be no reproduction.
Personal Analysis
Same sex marriage is illegal in the Australian society. In 2011, the federal labor party adjusted its position same-sex relationships since permitted its members to vote for the bill sanctioning homosexuality. However, the government has always been against homosexuality, citing health issues.
The president failed to approve a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the country. It is surprising that the liberal labor party is strongly opposed to the bill legalizing same-sex marriage.
In 2010, the parliament directed that the government seek public opinion as regards to homosexuality. Within Australia, the capital territory legalized same-sex marriages, particularly for gays.
However, the Australian law does not recognize such unions. From the recent turn of events, the society is slowly appreciating homosexuality in Australia.
Some places, such as New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland, and Victoria, legalized same sex relationships due to public pressure (Fenton, & Imrie, 2005).
In 2009, one of the regions allowed same-sex relationships that were formalized elsewhere. This was upon the realization that the behavior had become regularized and patterned in society.
Tasmania is the first Australian state to recognize same-sex marriage. However, the state has not yet legalized homosexuality (Melbye, & Biggar, 1992).
In China, the Peoples’ Republic constitution characterizes marriage as the confluence of a man and a woman to form a union. The law states that no any other form of marriage is to be allowed in the country.
The Chinese government is always accused of laxity since it has never conducted research to determine the views of the majority. The government does not approve homosexuality. However, it does not give reasons for disapproval.
In other words, the government does not want to delve into the matter (McDonald, Gertig, Crofts, & Kaldor, 1994). In 2001, the government instructed the ministry of health to remove homosexuality from the list of mental sicknesses.
A renowned scholar of sociology has always tried to legalize homosexuality by lobbying parliament. However, his attempts have never been successful. In 2000, he introduced a bill seeking to legalize same-sex marriage but members of parliament failed to approve it.
He also presented another bill in 2004 but he was unsuccessful. The activist failed to convince members of parliament because society is not yet ready to recognize same-sex marriage.
The government has never offered support to activists advocating for the rights of homosexuals because it believes the Chinese society is not ready for same-sex unions (Kaldor, & McDonald, 2003).
The government has been reluctant to recognize same-sex marriages because homosexuality is not legal even in developed countries. From the government’s official statement, it can be concluded that China will one day legalize same-sex marriage.
Method
This study focuses on various aspects of homosexuality in the two countries. The method would therefore include methods of data collection, analysis and presentation procedures. Every research project applies a certain research method to achieve its objectives depending on its goals.
The methods used to conduct research in this project would compare closely with the methods proposed in the project proposal.
In research, design deals primarily with aims, uses, purposes, intentions, and plans within the practical constraints of time, location, money, and availability of young adults from the two societies.
In this study the researcher randomly picked a sample population from the two societies. The respondents were briefed in advance. This was necessary to ensure that respondents were prepared psychologically for the task ahead.
This would also help in ensuring that response was given in time to allow timely analysis. The study population was also amicably informed in order to get prepared for the study. Briefing was important because it could enhance reliability of the study.
It is also ethical to inform people before researching on them. This chapter also focuses on the literature review as one of the methods used in collection of secondary sources of information.
It gives the reason why literature review was used as a method to collect data. The chapter gives an overview of the purpose of collecting and analyzing data and the basic questions used to gather the desired responses.
Conclusion
Some individuals support homosexuality in the two societies because heterosexual relationships are oppressive to women. This is particularly a view held by Australian women.
Women in Australia claim that homosexuality, especially lesbianism, liberates women from the hands of men. In the two countries, young adults supporting homosexuality claim sexual orientation is a basic right.
Therefore, those practicing same-sex relationships should not be discriminated against. In the two countries, homosexuals give two major reasons why they engage in same-sex relationships.
One of the reasons is that it is a human innovation, which leads to enjoyment of sex. The second reason is that homosexuality is a result of genetic makeup. Therefore, homosexuality should be allowed to exist in society.
References
Bagley, C., & Tremblay, P. (1998). On the prevalence of homosexuality and bisexuality, in a random community survey of 750 men aged 18 to 27. J Homo sex, 36(2), 1–18.
Fenton, K.A., & Imrie, J. (2005). Increasing rates of sexually transmitted diseases in homosexual men in Western Europe and the United States: why? Infectious Diseases Clinic of North America, 19(3), 311–331.
Gary, J. (2010). Same-sex Couples and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Population: New Estimates from the American Community Survey. New York: The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy.
Grulich, A. (2000). HIV risk behavior in gay men: on the rise? Bio-Medical Journal, 320(1), 1487 1488.
Hall, H.I., Song, R., & McKenna, M.T. (2002). Increases in HIV diagnoses—29 States, 1999—2002. Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 52(1), 1120–1148.
Kaldor, J., & McDonald, A. (2003). HIV/AIDS surveillance systems in Australia. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, 32(3), 18–23.
Layte, R. (2006). The Irish study of sexual health and relationships. Dublin: Crisis Pregnancy Agency.
McDonald, A.M., Gertig, D.M., Crofts, N., & Kaldor, J.M. (1994). A national surveillance system for newly acquired HIV infection in Australia National HIV Surveillance Committee. American Journal of Public Health, 84(1), 1923–1928.
Melbye, M., & Biggar, R.J. (1992). Interactions between persons at risk for AIDS and the general population in Denmark. American Journal of Epidemiology, 135(6), 593–602.
Nemoto, T. (2004). HIV/AIDS surveillance and prevention studies in Japan: summary and recommendations. AIDS Education Prevention, 16(1), 27–42.
Appendix
Questionnaire
- What are the provisions of the constitution regarding homosexuality in your country?
- Does the society approve the existence of same-sex marriages in your country?
- What is your view regarding homosexuality?
- Do you think homosexuality should be same-sex marriages should be allowed to go on in society? If no, give a reason. If yes, give a reason to justify your answer.
- Do you think homosexuality has anything to do with religion?
- Should the government amend law related to homosexuality in your country?
- Does homosexuality interfere with family roles?
- Why do you think homosexuality is practiced in society?
- Should homosexuals be treated as normal people in society
- Do you know any homosexual in your society?
- How do homosexuals behave?